What are you reading September 21?

[Okie]

Good Morning!

This week I'm starting off with Ryker (#4) by Sawyer Bennett, The Broken H (#2) by J.L. Langley, and Served Hot (#1) by Annabeth Albert.

[Theresa]

I just finished When a Scot Ties the Knot last night; not sure what I want to start next. I wish The Legend of Lyon Redmond were out tomorrow instead of next week!

[Janga]

Theresa, I too am impatiently waiting for The Legend of Lyon Redmond. I just finished Eva Leigh's Forever Your Earl, the first book in The Wicked Quills of London series and, like the JAL book, a September 29 release. It is excellent, a captivating story with a heroine who publishes a scandal-sheet and the hero, a rake with a secret, who is the subject of much of the scandal her publication covers. I loved the story, the feminist slant, and the prose.

[Okie]

Well, I was planning on reading Ryker by Sawyer Bennett, but I got bit by the fashion bug, and started reading The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey.

[Manda]

I'm recovering from some intense edits, and refilling the well by binge watching Elementary. I think I'm mentally preparing for The Legend of Lyon Redmond.

Saw the first review of it today on AAR but didn't read it beyond the grade (A) because I want to go in completely fresh. I did see the first paragraph though and was reminded that The Perils of Pleasure, (which, coincidentally is my favorite in the series because of the suspense elements) came out in 2008. I cannot believe it's been that long! That was before I even had an agent, much less a publisher.

I'm going to miss my visits to Pennyroyal Green. :(

[Stacey]

I'm reading and enjoying an ARC of aka WTF :-)

[Dls]

Is it definitely the last Pennyroyal book?
I have been rereading Madeline Hunter. Some of her books are much better the second time around.

[Manda]

Well, I haven't actually seen her say it's the last, come to think of it. But since her next book will be contemporary I assumed. Anybody else heard anything definitive?

I agree about Madeline Hunter. I think she's a little underappreciated. Or at least I don't see her getting the praise some other authors do. I especially love her unconventional heroines.

[Charlene]

I also have been known to re-read Madeline Hunter's books :)

[Irisheyes]

Count me among the Madeline Hunter re-readers! I love her Seducer series. I remember the anticipation waiting for THE ROMANTIC to be released. I loved Pen and Julian! I'm also quite fond of her first 3 medievals. I've read them quite a few times.

[Theresa]

JAL said in this interview that she had started a Pennyroyal Green prequel novella: http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=17491 But it sounds like it's a side project she'll work on around her contemporary deadlines. The first in her new series is already up for pre-order. !!

[Janga]

I thought Hunter's Fairbourne Quartet was just ok, not nearly as strong as her best work, but I love the new series. I liked His Wicked Reputation a lot, but I think Tall, Dark, and Wicked is even better. Both the hero and heroine are unconventional leads. I'm eager for the final book of the trilogy, but I suspect TDAW will remain my favorite.

[Janga]

Theresa wrote: "JAL said in this interview that she had started a Pennyroyal Green prequel novella: http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=17491 But it sounds like it's a side project she'll work on around her contempo..."

It's that "someday" that bothers me, Theresa. It sounds as if the prequel, which I assume will answer readers' questions about Isaiah Redmond and Isolde Eversea is not a priority. That is the impression I got in an exchange of messages with Julie too. I'm eager to read JAL, contemporary romance author, but I am even more eager to have those Redmond/Eversea questions answered.

[Manda]

Janga, I agree about the Fairbourn quartet, thought I really enjoyed the auction details and the second book (can't remember the name). Can't wait for the second Wicked book. Im going to be buying that one on my release day;)

Deb, I think Julie isn't quite sure what will happen once the contemporary books are out. From a business standpoint (and having no knowledge of her plans) I think it would be mad to stop writing historical when she's doing so well. I can't imagine her numbers aren't great in this market where historical isn't doing so well. But sometimes the muse demands a change. Hope this one isn't permanent, though.

[Leigh-Ayn]

Janga - which Madeline Hunter book or series should I read first? I haven't read any of hers!

X

[Dls]

Thanks Manda and Janga. I will order the contemp...
I like the Fairest Blooms series by Hunter. The relationship among the four heroes is subtle and funny. Her plots can be unbelievable but her depiction of the challenges for women at that time is very well done. I think Lady of Sin is one of her best and like The Romantic a lot but find that series uneven .

[Janga]

Leigh-Ayn wrote: "Janga - which Madeline Hunter book or series should I read first? I haven't read any of hers!

X"

Leigh-Ayn, I love her seven-book Seducer series, particularly The Romantic: The Seducer, The Saint, The Charmer, The Sinner, The Romantic, Lord of Sin, Lady of Sin. Among her more recent series, I thought The Rarest Blooms was excellent: Ravishing in Red, Provocative in Pearls, Sinful in Satin, Dangerous in Diamonds. And, as I said, I'm thoroughly enjoying the current series, which has the advantage of being easy to find and few in number. His Wicked Reputation was released last spring, and Tall, Dark, and Wicked is an October 6 release.

[Manda]

I'll put in a good word for Madeline Hunter's Rothwell Brothers Quartet (though technically one of the four has no Rothwell brother for the hero). I particularly love Lessons of Desire which won a RITA Award. It has both a scholarly hero and a scholarly heroine.

[Janga]

In fact, you can't really go wrong with Hunter. I'm not fond of medievals, but I know many readers count hers among their favorites, and even The Fairbourne Quartet is not a bad series, just not up to her usual quality.

[Irisheyes]

ITA on The Fairbourne Quartet, Janga. In fact, I have to go back to my book list and even see if I read them all. I'm thinking I didn't. I think I started the first one and lost interest - which has never happened with a MH for me. I do love The Rarest Blooms series - especially the relationship among the men in that series.

[Irisheyes]

I really liked the preview chapter I read of TALL, DARK AND WICKED at the end of HIS WICKED REPUTATION. So, I'm also very excited to know that TDAW will live up to my expectations.

[Leigh-Ayn]

Thanks ladies!!! You're awesome!!!! I downloaded His Wicked Reputation last night and about a third through it and enjoying it. Will move on to the Seducer series next!!!

Xxx

[Leigh-Ayn]

Ok ladies!!! I'm a Hunter fan!!!!! Just finished His Wicked Reputation !!! Sign me up for more!!!!!!

[Manda]

Yay! High fives, y'all! We converted another one ;)